J. P. Donleavy

Quotes

1. Hearts clicking. Remember that. Just so many times and click, we go away in this roofless world.

   p. 205

2. 

   "Takes two to congress."

   p. 206

3. 

   Across the Butt Bridge. Covered with torn newspapers and hulking toothless old men watching out the last years. They're bored. I know you've been in apprenticeships and that there was a moment when you were briefly respected for an opinion. Be in the sight of God soon. He'll be shocked. But there's happiness up there, gentlemen. All white and gold. Acetylene lighted sky. And when you go, go third class. You damn bastards.

   p. 32

4. 

   "By all means come in, Kenneth."

   "Some place. What holds it up?"

   "Faith."

   p. 11

5. 

   A change of scene is good for a change of mind.

   p. 120

6. 

   But Jesus, when you don't have any money, the problem is food. When you have money, it's sex. When you have both it's health, you worry about getting rupture or something. If everything is simply jake then you're frightened of death.

   p. 45

7. 

   And dear God

   Give me strength

   To put my shoulder

   To the wheel

   And push

   Like the rest.

   p. 34

8. 

   "I know this is a dreadful inconvenience for you, Miss Frost. I want you to know I really appreciate it. I have till now counted my friends on a hand of amputated fingers."

   p. 205

9. 

   Reach over and press this buzzer for action.

   A young man's raw face flicked around the door.

   "Good morning, Mr. Dangerfield."

   "A fine spring morning, a double and some Woodbines."

   "Certainly, sir. Early today?"

   "Little business to attend to."

   "It's always business isn't it."

   "O aye."

   Some fine cliches there. Should be encouraged. Too many damn people trying to be different. Coining phrases when a good platitude would do and save anxiety.

   p. 31

10. 

    Four o'clock on this oblong Tuesday, Sebastian pushing through the door of a secret public house, moved cautiously to an empty space at the bar. Bartender suspiciously approaching him.

    "I want a triple Irish, Gold Label. Quickly please."

    "Sir, I'm afraid I can't serve you."

    "You what?"

    "Can't serve you, sir, rules of the house, you've had enough to drink."

    "I've had enough to drink? What on earth do you mean?"

    "I think, sir, you've had sufficient unto your needs now. I think you've had enough now."

    "This is contemptible."

    "Peacefully sir, now. Keep the peace. When you're sober, sir, now, be very glad to serve you. Little sleep. You'll be fine."

    "Frightful outrage. Are you sure you're not drunk yourself?"

    "Now sir, a place and time for everything."

    "Well for Jesus sake."

    Sebastian turned from the bar pushed out through the door and along the street. In dazed condition.

    p. 118

That’s all the quotes.

10 quotes in the collection · come back when we add more